Give #oppHERtunity
Join us in empowering women in Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, enabling access to financial tools to carry their families out of poverty
Give #oppHERtunity
Join us in empowering women in Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, enabling access to financial tools to carry their families out of poverty
Our goal
Strong and intelligent women in the developing world are rarely given the same opportunities as men. Despite their work ethic, desire and drive, it is almost impossible for them to get ahead.
FINCA Canada strives to change this by providing women in Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the opportunity to become agents of change. In addition to alleviating poverty in the developing world, FINCA Canada has set a goal to raise $15 million to improve women’s access to financial services. The Government of Canada has committed $12 million – requiring our organization to raise our final $3 million and reach all 363,000 targeted women in Haiti and the DRC.
GIVE oppHERtunity
“I have had many opportunities that led me to a successful career in the business world. I want to pay that forward by supporting women in their own ventures of any size in any country. FINCA Canada focuses on women entrepreneurs, so by supporting them I expand my impact.”
— Sarah Douglas |
VP, Global Marketing & Communications, SecureKey Technologies
““I decided one day to chart my own way and went into business while raising two boys as a single Mother — and only one source of revenue. I know how it feels to take the jump and follow one’s dream. I know the fear, the sleepless nights. And so I am delighted to join FINCA Canada in support of women entrepreneure who might not have all the resources we have here in Canada.“
— Michèle Leduc | President, ZIPCOM
“Sport and Education have been two #oppHERtunities that have led me to achieving my career aspirations in the Olympic Movement, thanks to my family and friends who believed in and supported me each step of the way.”
— Sarah-Eve Pelletier | Deputy General Counsel and Director at International Olympic Committee
“I remember the day my immigrant parents sat my siblings and I down, explained how different life was like back in East Africa and told us how lucky we were to be born and live in Canada – this was the day they explained the concept of giving back and how important it was.”
— Salma Dhanani | Business Operations Lead (Canada), Airbnb
“I was raised by a single mom who did everything she could to provide for my brother and I and I wouldn’t be here without her … Go moms go.”
— Chloe Wilde | eTalk Reporter and Founder of Healthy is Hot
WHY?
A 2018 United Nations study found that women access and use financial products and services at a lower rate than men due to fewer products on the market that meet women’s needs, existing products that are not well marketed to women and societal and structural barriers that hurt women’s ability to be independent financial actors.
At its core, FINCA strives to alleviate poverty through lasting solutions that help people – women in particular – build assets, create jobs and raise the standard of living for families living in poverty.
Operating in 20 countries, the FINCA network has served 39 million people since providing its first loan in Bolivia in 1985. We are innovators, remaining at the forefront of digital technological advancements that reduce costs and further our reach. We are sound money managers. More than anything, we are compassionate individuals who care about our clients and our donors. Because we know that each and every one of them are making our world a better place.
HOW?
FINCA is driven off of microfinance, providing small loans to entrepreneurs who would otherwise be invisible to lenders. By providing access to financial services, FINCA Canada increases and diversifies income, builds assets and security and builds confidence in the future – to increase food consumption, invest in housing water and sanitation and invest in education and health.
FINCA’s women clients run businesses that provide useful products and services to their communities, and food on the table for their families. Yet, because they were born into poverty, they have been robbed of choice, access to financial tools and opportunities to live out their dreams.
With access to credit and savings accounts, medical insurance and financial education, they could change their lives.
One gift: many #OppHERtunities
Digital financial services allow FINCA clients to make financial transactions closer to their homes and businesses. This increases safety, convenience and savings for FINCA clients, while removing barriers to securing and paying back loans and making deposits. This is especially true for women who now won’t have to close their shop or leave their children alone to travel to their nearest local branch.
We will strengthen the financial literacy training we provide to our clients by addressing the specific barriers faced by our women clients. An understanding of basic financial concepts empowers women to make sound financial decisions for themselves and their families.
We will develop agriculture loans that are responsive to harvest cycles and provide technical assistance to help our clients improve yields and access new markets. We will also help them to mitigate the risks associated with climate change and practice sustainable farming.
We will help low-income families gain access to medical services. People living in the DRC have a high prevalence of chronic malnutrition, high maternal and child mortality, and yet have very little access to health care. By gaining access to affordable health insurance, our clients and their families will live healthier and more productive lives.
MEET THE CLIENTS OF FINCA
Grande Dame
A Grand Dame is an influential woman of dignity and great accomplishment; regarded as one of the most experienced, prominent or venerable members of society.
FINCA women encompass the Haitian concept of the power, ingenuity and resilience of women. They are community leaders, business owners and family caretakers. They are the backbone of the economy, and the true changemakers in society. They are independent self-starters.
Julie
Julie Jean-Baptiste spent her childhood working in the field with her father, where she developed a love for agriculture. With her experience and passion, it was a given that Julie would be successful.
With FINCA loans and her own perseverance, Julie was able to grow her small plot of land into a large plantation where she employs people in her community. Her main crop is plantains and she raises livestock. Julie is known in the community for her hard work, dedication and thriving business, and has been able to put her children through university due to her success.
Julie
Julie Jean-Baptiste spent her childhood working in the field with her father, where she developed a love for agriculture. With her experience and passion, it was a given that Julie would be successful.
With FINCA loans and her own perseverance, Julie was able to grow her small plot of land into a large plantation where she employs people in her community. Her main crop is plantains and she raises livestock. Julie is known in the community for her hard work, dedication and thriving business, and has been able to put her children through university due to her success.
Bettie
Bettie Joachin built her own second-hand clothes shop due to her independence and drive to provide for her family.
Through FINCA loans, Bettie has been able to build her business. She participated with Village Bank – a group of low-income entrepreneurs who come together to share and guarantee one another’s loans. By seizing opportunities created through her access to FINCA loans, Bettie continues to grow her business and create a better life for herself and her family.
Bettie
Bettie Joachin built her own second-hand clothes shop due to her independence and drive to provide for her family.
Through FINCA loans, Bettie has been able to build her business. She participated with Village Bank – a group of low-income entrepreneurs who come together to share and guarantee one another’s loans. By seizing opportunities created through her access to FINCA loans, Bettie continues to grow her business and create a better life for herself and her family.
Noula
Noula Moel took out her first FINCA loan 10 years ago. Using the loan, Noula sold snacks to local community members from a small table in a market.
Supplementing the loan, Noula’s business has flourished due to her hard work and commitment to supporting her four children. Recognizing the opportunity provided to her, Noula is dedicated to giving back to those around her. As a thank you to her community, she recently installed a wall in front of her shop to provide clean, free water to the community.
Noula
Noula Moel took out her first FINCA loan 10 years ago. Using the loan, Noula sold snacks to local community members from a small table in a market.
Supplementing the loan, Noula’s business has flourished due to her hard work and commitment to supporting her four children. Recognizing the opportunity provided to her, Noula is dedicated to giving back to those around her. As a thank you to her community, she recently installed a wall in front of her shop to provide clean, free water to the community.
MEET THE AMBASSADORS
Sarah Douglas
VP, Global Marketing & Communications,
SecureKey Technologies
Salma Dhanani
Business Operations Lead (Canada), Airbnb
Marie-Claude Bourgie
Chief Development Officer,
The One Drop Foundation
DEBBIE GAMBLE
VP Digital Products and Platforms,
Interac Corp
Dani Kind
Actor
Sarah‑Eve Pelletier
Deputy General Counsel and Director at International Olympic Committee
JACKIE BROWN
Photographer & Content Producer
Denise Shirazi
Entrepreneur
Michelle Tampoya
Director Product Marketing
Interac
Beth Wilson
Canada Chief Executive Officer, Dentons
Chloe Wilde
eTalk Reporter and Founder of Healthy is Hot
Susan Latremoille
Director and Wealth Advisor, Latremoille Begg Group
Sophie Fouron
Canadian journalist and TV host
Stéphanie Émond
Senior Specialist, FinDev Canada
Michelle Carter
President, Mission Productions & Media Inc.
Juno Rinaldi
Actor, Writer, Producer.
Alexandra Brunet
Account Manager – Commercial Building Systems, Ingersoll Rand/Trane
Penny Reedie
Retired Canadian Diplomat
Michèle Leduc
President, ZIPCOM
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
FINCA Canada is recruiting oppHERtunity Ambassadors to support our work to alleviate poverty, empower women and grow financial inclusion worldwide. Ambassadors will raise awareness of and help mobilize resources to support FINCA’s mission by hosting, promotion and/or participating in FINCA events, speaking about women’s empowerment at events and conferences and participating in trips to the field, among so much more.
With oppHERtunity, we are dedicated to connecting women’s past successes with future successes. OppHERtunity is a chance to show gratitude for your successes in life. It’s an impactful way to say thank you to your mentors and your family. It’s a chance for you to expand your legacy by igniting the success of others.
We can’t wait to have you join this movement. To become involved, please contact: